Efforts to expand regional tourism in the southeast are underway through new funding opportunities for municipalities. 

Southeast Sask. Economic Partnership is bringing those through federal grant money, and by providing a space for them to advertise their historic and tourist attractions. 

“We have a website called exploressep.ca and any business event or attraction can upload their own information on there. It's free and I encourage people to do that," said Managing Director of the SSEP, Tim Keating. 

Each person or group gets an individual portal when they sign up making it a simple process to get the information out.  

“We're also doing destination tourism through the Explore website, where you can actually look at tourism assets in the region and it gives you a mobile app that will actually take you to the destination area and guide you and give you a guided tour,” said Keating.  

There has been some federal funding allocated to upgrading some tourist attractions and historic landmarks. Including $233,200 that will be used to restore La Roche Percee Provincial Historic Site in the coming months.  

“Restoring this unique destination by adding picnic tables, new lighting, new pathways, and paving the roads will significantly increase tourism in the area,” said a recent funding announcement.  

The release also noted $120,000 for the Town of Coronach. The funding will be used to hire a consultant to develop a roadmap for the town and region. This will enable them to promote tourism assets, including the Big Muddy Badlands and other natural and historical attractions.  

The town of Bienfait has also received $107,398 to repair and revitalize two significant tourism assets that are already in place. The first is the Bienfait Coalfields Historical Society Museum. The second is the 1907 steam locomotive used by the Manitoba and Saskatchewan Coal Company with a Canadian National Railway caboose. Both the locomotive and caboose are designated Municipal Heritage Property.  

Bienfait will also be hosting the Coal Creek Festival on June 30, 2024. 

“We're trying to get folks to get off the highway and explore the region in southeast Saskatchewan,” said Keating.